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NEW BLOG: With the Commons returning today, Meg Russell reviews 13 episodes in Boris Johnson's relationship with parliament during his 13 months as Prime Minister.
This relationship has often been remarkably rocky. But is that sustainable? https://constitution-unit.com/2020/09/01/boris-johnson-and-parliament-an-unhappy-tale-in-13-acts/
This relationship has often been remarkably rocky. But is that sustainable? https://constitution-unit.com/2020/09/01/boris-johnson-and-parliament-an-unhappy-tale-in-13-acts/
1. Becoming PM on 24 July 2019, Johnson held office for just 1 day before MPs broke up for summer recess.
There was no immediate chance to quiz the detail of his Brexit plans, and no chance to recall parliament (as that is controlled by the government). https://constitution-unit.com/2019/07/23/pressures-to-recall-parliament-over-brexit-during-the-summer-seem-likely-what-if-they-occur/
There was no immediate chance to quiz the detail of his Brexit plans, and no chance to recall parliament (as that is controlled by the government). https://constitution-unit.com/2019/07/23/pressures-to-recall-parliament-over-brexit-during-the-summer-seem-likely-what-if-they-occur/
2. The defining controversy was then Johnson's attempt to prorogue parliament for five weeks as the Brexit deadline approached.
In a case where one challenger was former Prime Minister John Major, this was overturned in the Supreme Court. https://constitution-unit.com/2019/09/27/the-supreme-court-ruling-in-cherry-miller-no-2-and-the-power-of-parliament/
In a case where one challenger was former Prime Minister John Major, this was overturned in the Supreme Court. https://constitution-unit.com/2019/09/27/the-supreme-court-ruling-in-cherry-miller-no-2-and-the-power-of-parliament/
3. The prorogation helped spark the "Benn-Burt bill" which required a Brexit extension to be sought if parliament had not approved the terms of exit.
Johnson stripped 13 Conservative supporters of the whip, and hinted that he might flout the law. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9881674/brexit-boris-johnson-refused-obey-benn-bill/
Johnson stripped 13 Conservative supporters of the whip, and hinted that he might flout the law. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9881674/brexit-boris-johnson-refused-obey-benn-bill/
4. Johnson did achieve a Brexit deal, and his EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill passed its second reading.
But MPs rejected the timetable of just 3 days' scrutiny (far less than for similar bills) and rather than proceed, Johnson demanded a general election https://twitter.com/ConUnit_UCL/status/1186331361071828993
But MPs rejected the timetable of just 3 days' scrutiny (far less than for similar bills) and rather than proceed, Johnson demanded a general election https://twitter.com/ConUnit_UCL/status/1186331361071828993
5. The election saw much anti-parliament rhetoric. The manifesto lamented the ‘failure of Parliament to deliver Brexit'.
But Johnson and several of his Cabinet were amongst those who had voted repeatedly against Theresa May's Brexit deal. https://constitution-unit.com/2019/10/02/which-mps-are-responsible-for-failing-to-get-brexit-done/
But Johnson and several of his Cabinet were amongst those who had voted repeatedly against Theresa May's Brexit deal. https://constitution-unit.com/2019/10/02/which-mps-are-responsible-for-failing-to-get-brexit-done/
6. After the election a new EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill was passed.
Key differences between this and the previous version included removing much of the parliamentary oversight of the next stages of negotiation. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/brexit/legislation/the-new-eu-withdrawal-agreement-bill-whats-changed/
Key differences between this and the previous version included removing much of the parliamentary oversight of the next stages of negotiation. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/brexit/legislation/the-new-eu-withdrawal-agreement-bill-whats-changed/
7. When the select committees were set up, No. 10 sought to decide who should chair the prestigious Liaison Committee, which questions the Prime Minister.
In 13 months, Johnson has so far cancelled 3 times and appeared only once before the committee. https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications/briefings/who-chooses-the-scrutineer-why-mps-should-resist-the-governments-attempt-to
In 13 months, Johnson has so far cancelled 3 times and appeared only once before the committee. https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications/briefings/who-chooses-the-scrutineer-why-mps-should-resist-the-governments-attempt-to
8. Much of Johnson's period as PM has been dominated by COVID-19, with a need to make policy quickly.
But concerns have been raised about the government's often last-minute decision making using statutory instruments with limited parliamentary oversight. https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications/data/coronavirus-statutory-instruments-dashboard
But concerns have been raised about the government's often last-minute decision making using statutory instruments with limited parliamentary oversight. https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications/data/coronavirus-statutory-instruments-dashboard
9. One of the biggest lockdown controversies was over Dominic Cummings' trip to Durham.
This wasn't strictly parliamentary, but Johnson's refusal to respond to criticisms from numerous backbenchers showed a determination to challenge parliamentary norms https://constitution-unit.com/2020/06/02/can-dominic-cummings-defy-the-political-laws-of-gravity/
This wasn't strictly parliamentary, but Johnson's refusal to respond to criticisms from numerous backbenchers showed a determination to challenge parliamentary norms https://constitution-unit.com/2020/06/02/can-dominic-cummings-defy-the-political-laws-of-gravity/
10. Another flashpoint was the ending of the 'hybrid' House of Commons.
Opposed by the Commons Procedure Committee and many backbenchers, the ending of MPs' voting rights without their say-so flouted well-established democratic principles. https://constitution-unit.com/2020/06/08/ending-of-the-hybrid-house-of-commons-breached-fundamental-democratic-principles/
Opposed by the Commons Procedure Committee and many backbenchers, the ending of MPs' voting rights without their say-so flouted well-established democratic principles. https://constitution-unit.com/2020/06/08/ending-of-the-hybrid-house-of-commons-breached-fundamental-democratic-principles/
11. Proposals to move the House of Lords to York have been floated repeatedly by government, but not put to parliament to debate.
In an urgent question in the Lords ministers were forced to concede that this is fundamentally a question for parliament. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-johnson-sends-the-house-of-lords-up-north-r803s6pfx
In an urgent question in the Lords ministers were forced to concede that this is fundamentally a question for parliament. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-johnson-sends-the-house-of-lords-up-north-r803s6pfx
12. Another controversy about a committee chair related to the Intelligence and Security Committee.
When Julian Lewis beat No. 10's preferred candidate he was stripped of the Conservative whip. But experts agreed this too was a question for parliament. https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/julian-lewis-strikes-a-blow-for-parliamentary-integrity-chris-grayling-isc-intelligence-security-committee
When Julian Lewis beat No. 10's preferred candidate he was stripped of the Conservative whip. But experts agreed this too was a question for parliament. https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/julian-lewis-strikes-a-blow-for-parliamentary-integrity-chris-grayling-isc-intelligence-security-committee
13. Most recently, Boris Johnson's 36 new Lords appointments have raised controversy. They bring the chamber to over 800, when there was cross-party agreement to reduce its size.
Critics include the Lord Speaker - a former Conservative Cabinet minister. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/lord-speaker-tells-johnson-to-cease-mass-appointments-to-house-of-lords/ar-BB17rEbW
Critics include the Lord Speaker - a former Conservative Cabinet minister. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/lord-speaker-tells-johnson-to-cease-mass-appointments-to-house-of-lords/ar-BB17rEbW
All in all, Johnson's relationship with parliament has been difficult. He has often sought to proceed without parliamentary approval, even facing down criticism from his own side.
In a parliamentary democracy this is risky. Discontent may now be growing. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/29/boris-johnson-faces-tory-wrath-as-party-slumps-in-shock-poll
In a parliamentary democracy this is risky. Discontent may now be growing. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/29/boris-johnson-faces-tory-wrath-as-party-slumps-in-shock-poll
